Safety and Wellness

What to Do if You Get the Flu

You may have heard everyone talking about this year's flu season, but you might not give it another thought unless you actually get the flu. If you do get sick, knowing what to do can help you feel better faster.

Try these tips if you get the flu:

Drink lots of fluids. Juice, water, and soup are great ways to get fluids in. But avoid caffeinated drinks, which won't hydrate you as well.

Get lots of sleep and take it easy. This is a great time to chill with your favorite DVDs without your mom or dad asking you to help out around the house!

Wear layers. You might be cold one minute and hot the next, and wearing several layers — like a T-shirt, sweatshirt, and robe — makes it easy to add or remove clothes as needed.

Wash your hands frequently. You don't want to spread the flu to everyone else, if you can help it. Also, avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with other people.

Most people who get the flu get better without having to see their doctor. But if your flu symptoms get worse, if you have a high temperature for more than a few days, if you have any trouble breathing, or if you seem to get better but then feel worse again, call your doctor right away.

And next time, get the flu vaccine so that you're less likely to get the flu!

Dr. Carin Cunningham, a psychologist who specializes in treating gastrointestinal diseases, offers insights into the emotional and psychological toll inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can take. Families affected by IBD share how they have learned to better deal with their child's illness.

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Seattle Children’s provides healthcare without regard to race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin (ancestry) or disability. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.